There are pioneers who build businesses, and then there are pioneers who build communities. John Castelli was one of those rare visionaries whose impact reached far beyond the walls of the clubs, restaurants, hotels, and businesses he helped create. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in LGBTQ history, but his legacy will continue to shape South Florida for generations to come.

Some organizations change lives through speeches. Others do it through advocacy. Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale does it one mile, one friendship, and one encouraging step at a time.

Every successful publication has familiar faces—the publisher, the writers, photographers, and personalities whose names readers know. Yet behind every issue is someone whose work often goes unnoticed, even though it shapes every page readers hold in their hands.

Henry Ford is widely credited with saying, “A man who stops advertising to save money is like a man who stops a clock to save time.” Whether you are a small neighborhood restaurant, a real estate professional, a retailer, a healthcare provider or a major corporation, the principle remains the same: If your customers do not see you, hear from you, and remember you, someone else will earn their attention.

There are certain people whose names become synonymous with a community. For me, Tony Nazzaro and Gloria McMichael are two of those people.

For decades, our LGBTQ community has fought for equality, visibility, and respect. We have made extraordinary progress because courageous people stood up, spoke out, and demanded to be seen. Today, however, we find ourselves facing a different challenge. Across America, many Pride celebrations, Stonewall events, nonprofit organizations, and LGBTQ community initiatives are experiencing reduced corporate sponsorships and financial support. While disappointing, I believe this moment also presents us with an opportunity to rethink how we tell our story.